macOS Essentials: How to Force Quit a Frozen App on Your Mac

Apps on macOS are usually reliable, but occasionally they freeze, crash, or bog down your entire system—especially during beta testing like the latest Monterey versions. When that happens, knowing how to force quit is essential for getting back on track.

First, try quitting normally:

• Right-click the app icon in the menu bar and select "Quit," or
• Press Command-Q.

If the app is unresponsive, force quit it using these proven methods:

• Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner and choose "Force Quit," or
• Press Command-Option-Esc.

Either way, the "Force Quit Applications" window appears, listing active apps. Select the problematic one, click "Force Quit," and confirm. This closes it immediately without data loss in most cases.

If you can't access Force Quit, use Activity Monitor to manage processes:

• Search for "Activity Monitor" via Spotlight, or
• In Finder, go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.

• Scan the process list (sort by "Process Name" or "% CPU" for quicker finds).

• Select the app and click the "X" button at the top.
• Choose "Force Quit."

As a last resort, restart your Mac: Hold the power button (or Touch ID on newer models) until the Apple logo appears, then release for reboot. Note: This may unsave current work.